Delmas still struggling with knee issues

ALLEN PARK — Louis Delmas still has knee issues which is not a good sign for the free safety or the Detroit Lions.

He was on the sidelines at the first day of mandatory minicamp today (Tuesday), but was unable to participate due to a lingering knee injury.

“I’m good, I don’t know what to tell you, I’ve been hurt,’’ Delmas said sarcastically as he was walking off the field. “It’s great, it feels just like how it was last year.’’

When asked when he could get back on the field he said he was going to sit there and coach his team.

“Just leave me alone seriously,’’ Delmas said as he walked away.

This is all just like last year which is not good for Delmas or the Lions.

He had surgery early during training camp on Aug. 7 and missed the first four regular season games. He played a total of eight games intermittently throughout the season.

A unrestricted free agent, the Lions re-signed Delmas in the spring to a two-year deal reportedly worth $9.465 million.

“Lou is working hard, he’ll be back on the field for us sometime, but it’s not going to be this minicamp,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

As usual, he would not be specific on a possible return.

“I know this, Lou is a very, very tough player, if he can be on the field he will be,’’ Schwartz said.

When healthy — or somewhat healthy — Delmas is a leader of the secondary.

“Any chance we can get him on the field we want him on the field,’’ Schwartz said. “What we’d like to get started is adding (Glover) Quin to the secondary. That communication between the safeties is important, that’s something we’re missing now.

“Physically (Delmas) can cover a lot of ground quickly. He’s comfortable in our scheme once he gets back to being healthy he’ll be able to pick it up quickly,’’ Schwartz said.

Delmas was talking with Quin on the sidelines, but it’s not the same as being on the field.

The coach is never in a hurry to push players back on the field before they’re ready.

“For a player like Delmas patience is a thing he has to have right now,’’ Schwartz said. “He has to be patient enough to give it enough time to heal. You’ve got to take it as that comes and not get ahead of yourself.’’